When two spontaneous souls meet, they call it a coup de foudre (aka, love at first sight). As Emilie Grace showed up on a hot August day at Osheaga, the Montreal indie music and arts festival, she found a kindred spirit in Charlie Allan. Charlie, who was dancing with pure abandon under the hot summer sun, charmed Emilie with his spirited moves. “He was so silly, I loved how he didn’t take himself too seriously,” she recalls. Unbeknownst to Charlie, a great day of music was about to change his life when Emilie’s beaming energy and radiant smile drew him in. After more dancing and a first kiss, it didn’t take a music festival for these two to have a song in their hearts.
After their magical meeting, it took about six months of dating for Emilie and Charles to realize they were a perfect match. Emilie — a teacher turned HR professional — admits that she knew she wanted to share her life with Charlie the day they met. For Charlie, who runs his own MedTech company, the path was less linear.
But over time, he realized that in addition to Emilie’s positivity and the couple’s love of people (“we say YES to just about everything” explains Emilie), he knew she was “it” after watching how well his girlfriend got along with his family.
In the summer of 2019, Emilie was teaching a Friday morning spin class (something she loves to do on top of her day job). It was the weekend of Osheaga, marking two years since the couple had first met. During the class, Emilie noticed that everyone in attendance was a friend. “I didn't think anything of it because we were all going to Osheaga that day," she recalls. "The vibes were HIGH but I thought it was just a result of everyone being excited for the festival.”
After the class, Charlie and Emilie walked home together, and she opened the door to their apartment to find it filled with sunflowers.
Charlie got down on one knee and asked Emilie to marry him. They then went to Mélisse, their favourite brunch spot, where their friends were waiting to celebrate with them. The party continued over the next three days at the music festival where it all began.
The wedding took place last summer at Charlie’s family home in Knowlton, Quebec. The couple chose earthy, natural tones for the decor to complement their surroundings, but insisted there be a touch of fun woven throughout their day. Similarly, invitations suggested cocktail attire, but Emilie and Charlie reinforced to their guests that they should wear what they felt most comfortable in. Says Emilie, "we just wanted everyone to get down on the dance floor."
Despite a little rain during the ceremony, the newlyweds didn't let the weather dampen their style. Guests dined under a tent, enjoying Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes, Orecchiette with Speck, Almonds, Cauliflower and Truffles, and Striploin or Halibut with Creamy Polenta and Seasonal Vegetables. Dessert included Tiramisu, Carrot Cake, Doughnuts and Brownies.
Post-dinner, the newlyweds chose There Will be Time by Mumford and Sons for their first dance, and because the song's tempo picks up at the end, guests were invited to rush the dance floor, something that didn't take much encouragement. “We have NEVER seen a dance floor fill that fast", recalls Emilie. For many, it was the first social event since the start of the pandemic, so the energy was high. After hours of revelry, guests who wanted to keep partying moved to a small chapel on the property that was turned into a mini disco. With Charlie’s brother taking the DJ reigns, everyone danced the night away, with the party ending as the sun rose.
After the pandemic interfered with no less than three honeymoon plans, Emilie and Charlie decided it would be simplest to travel locally, and flew to British Columbia. They rented a Westfalia van and drove into the Rocky Mountains towards Whistler. After a week of camping and hiking, the newlyweds stepped it up at the Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, a place they call heaven on earth. A small luxury resort on Vancouver Island, Clayoquot boasts glamping tents, local cuisine and plenty of outdoor activities. Says Emilie: “We both agree, it’s the most magical place we’ve ever been to.”
Now that everyday life has settled in, Emilie and Charlie stay busy with work, friends, family and Rufus, their beloved Labradoodle. Charlie, who loves both golf and hockey, is also training for his first half ironman. And always true to their free-spirited nature, the happy couple to seek out their next adventure.
